FEARS are growing for the safety of a grandfather after he failed to return home from picking up his morning papers.

Police mounted a search for Donald Willis, 75, a retired butcher of Caerlicken Lane, Langstone, Newport, after he went missing yesterday morning.

Police said Mr Willis' concerned family contacted officers by midday, after he failed to return home.

Son Stephen, 48, a retail manager, told officers his father did not return from his usual 9am drive to buy newspapers from nearby Hillcroft Garage, Chepstow Road.

His last known movements were traced to Caerleon bridge, and Mr Willis' car was discovered in the car park of a riverside pub, The Ship, Caerleon.

The Gwent police helicopter took part in a search of the area and the River Usk but did not find any trace of the pensioner.

Mr Willis has a wife, Beryl, a second son, Roger, two daughters, Jennifer, and Kay in America, and eight grandchildren.

He is described as 5ft 10ins tall with balding white hair. He was last seen wearing a fawn anorak with brown check trousers and brown shoes. At the time of his disappearance he was driving a G registration, dark blue Volkswagen Polo estate.

A police spokesman said the helicopter would be used again today at low tide. Coastguards were informed of the incident but were not needed in the search. Gwent Police are appealing to anyone with any information or who may have seen a person matching the description to contact Alway police on 01633 838111.